NFL Player News

Kroft caught his only target for 14 yards during Sunday's win over the Broncos.

Fellow tight end Dawson Knox wasn't involved much in the passing game either (two catches, 11 yards), but the disparity was there once again in snap count, with Kroft seeing 31 percent of the offensive snaps to Knox's 78 percent. Kroft's season was mostly washed away due to injury, and with Knox playing so well as a rookie, the former is simply not of much value to fantasy teams for what remains of the season.

Knox caught both of his targets for 11 yards during Sunday's win over the Broncos.

The Bills ran all over the Broncos and didn't need to attack downfield much, instead handing the ball frequently to Devin Singletary and Frank Gore (36 carries between them) while sprinkling in short underneath passes to Cole Beasley. Knox did see 78 percent of the offensive snaps to Tyler Kroft's 31, so it's clear he's become the starting tight end even with Kroft back to full health. That said, this is an offense that hasn't produced a 300-yard passer for an eye-popping 44 straight games, so production for anyone outside of John Brown will remain hit and miss.

Alie-Cox may have the opportunity to carve out a larger role on offense with Eric Ebron (ankle) set to land on injured reserve, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.

The 26-year-old has mostly been utilized as a blocker this season, having logged just five catches for 49 yards across 245 offensive snaps, but in Ebron's absence his role could expand. Alie-Cox's frame (6-foot-5, 267 pounds) suggests he could be effective in the end zone, though Jack Doyle figures to handle the bulk of receiving work at the tight end position for Indianapolis.

Pruitt hauled in his lone target for 20 yards in the Titans' Week 12 win over the Jaguars.

Pruitt hauled in his first catch of the season late in the opening quarter, when he caught a short pass before turning it upfield for a big gain. He also logged a snap rate of 51 percent, the fourth time this season that he's remained on the field for at least half of Tennessee's offensive plays. However, his limited volume in the team's passing game depresses any fantasy value he'll be able to record.

Smith hauled in five of six targets for 17 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-14 loss to the Bears.

Smith tied with Sterling Shepard for the team lead in receptions, and both receivers were used mainly on short passes, as Shepard totaled just 15 yards. The 22-yeard old tight end was fortunate enough to catch a three-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, though, marking the rookie's first score of his career. Smith's usage should last as long as Evan Engram (foot) and Rhett Ellison (concussion) are out of the lineup.

Thomas caught one of two targets for four yards in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Saints.

Thomas, who hauled in 36 passes as a rookie, needed until Week 12 to make his first grab in his second season. Of course, with Greg Olsen healthy, Thomas' involvement has been scaled back significantly, but it's still surprising how little impact he's made in 2019.

Carlson caught his lone target for eight yards in Sunday's 41-24 win over Miami.

Carlson, whose touchdown streak ended at one game, saw one of the four balls targeted at Cleveland tight ends as quarterback Baker Mayfield established better chemistry with his main weapons, wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham. With David Njoku (wrist) expected to return for Week 13 against Pittsburgh, Carlson may be the odd man out and have to head back to the practice squad.

Smith was not targeted in the team's Week 12 win over the Jaguars. He did rush the ball once for four yards.

Smith was slated to be the top tight end, replacing the injured Delanie Walker (ankle). However, he failed to produce in any meaningful way. With Walker practicing in limited fashion all week, he may be able to return in Week 13 against the Colts, which would all but eliminate any chance for Smith to contribute.

Kittle (ankle) had six catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-8 win over Green Bay.

Kittle had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury that included a broken bone, and while he was unlikely at full strength, the star tight end stole the show offensively. The 26-year-old had been the 49ers' most-consistent receiver prior to going down to injury, and he put it all together Sunday with his first game of 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown. Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned the bone spur in his tight end's ankle after the game, stating that the injury is likely to cause pain "for a while," according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Given his coach's statement, don't be surprised to find Kittle on the injury report leading up to games in the coming weeks, but this impressive showing should bode well for his fantasy owners heading into another heavyweight showdown against the Ravens on Sunday.

Hill secured his only target for no gain in the Saints' 34-31 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

New Orleans' triple-threat put up a donut in the box score in Sunday's win, seeing almost no action in the shootout win. Despite his involvement in the passing, rushing and receiving games, Hill has totaled just 30 combined yards over his last four games. He should be left on the waiver wire even in the deepest of leagues.